Police call off Queensland pilot search

Police have called off the search for missing pilot Brad Maisel, whose helicopter crashed off the far north Queensland coast a week ago.

The Mareeba cane farmer's family were told of the decision to formally suspend the search on Wednesday.

It followed the discovery of the helicopter wreckage off Cape Tribulation on Sunday, but no sign of the 50-year-old pilot.

Search and rescue crews have spent the past week looking for Mr Maisel, who has not been seen since the aircraft plunged into the ocean last Thursday evening.

Mr Maisel's passenger survived the crash and managed to swim 800 metres to shore with chest, abdomen and leg injuries.

He ran up to campers staying at Noah Beach, who alerted authorities another person was missing.

A report will be prepared for the coroner, while the police forensic crash unit will continue its investigation.